Friday, April 15, 2011

http://www.drgeorgebardawil.com/ 1. Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak.
2. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums.
3. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems.
4. Straight teeth are less prone to decay and injury. Decay results when the bacteria in plaque (a colorless,
sticky film composed of bacteria, food and saliva) feed on carbohydrates (sugar and starch) we eat or drink
to produce acids that can cause cavities. Plaque can also increase the risk for periodontal (gum) disease.
5. As for injuries to teeth, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an accident.
6. Untreated orthodontic problems may become worse. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, destruction
of the bone that holds teeth in place, and chewing and digestive difficulties.
7. Orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive
stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, sometimes
leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.
8. Treatment by an orthodontist to correct a problem early may be less costly than restorative dental care.
9. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic
treatment.
10. An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image—
important qualities at every age.

Invisalign® can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing--so you can smile more during treatment! Dr.bardawil is Invisalign Provider

we are often asked, “Why should I come to an Orthodontist for Invisalign when my general dentist provides Invisalign?” and “Isn’t all the work done by computers? Won’t the result will be the same?”
We want to take a moment to outline some very important basic concepts of orthodontic treatment and the choice of your orthodontist. Dr.bardawil
says it is very important that the practitioner you choose is certified by the AAO. While we are aware there are many general dentists who provide Invisalign, orthodontists are better qualified and have more extensive training in the movement of teeth than any of their peers.
Although Invisalign is created by computer-aided technology, the results are only as successful as the practitioner providing the prescription and treatment plan. We are Invisalign Providers, which indicates a higher level of training in Invisalign as well as an increased case acceptance and successful completion of Invisalign cases.
We understand that choosing a provider is a very personal and important decision and know you must consider many factors in doing so. Please be aware that your care–before, during and after treatment–involves our entire team . We understand that continued education and team building is of the utmost importance. Rest assured that we are always looking for ways to improve so that we may meet our goals and exceed your expectations. Our combined experience makes us an outstanding team providing beautiful and dependable results.
If you have any questions about Invisalign, please give us a call!

What’s so special about an Orthodontist?

“Dentists, Orthodontists, they’re all the same right?” We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr.bardawil started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr.bardawil decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.
Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).
Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

April 10th, 2010

Great news to report this Friday afternoon! People with big, happy smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a recent study conducted at Wayne State University.
Dr.Bardawil knows that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something interesting: they used the Baseball Register to review close-up smiles of 230 players who began their baseball careers prior to 1950 by studying their smile intensity (ranging from wide smile, no smile and partial smile).
The researchers then took into account other factors associated with life longevity, such as body mass index, career length and, believe it or not, college attendance. They found that players who weren’t smiling only lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big, wide smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old!

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you’ll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:
One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide.
Hope these tips help!

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see dr.bardawill for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for us to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday.Age 7 is the magic number for an orthodontic check-up

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.
Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing.

Recently, we have been asked if all braces are the same? The quick answer is no, not all braces are the same. Thanks to innovative technology, orthodontists have choices on what type of braces to make it less time consuming and more comfortable than before.

Dr. Bardawil use braces called the Damon System. These brackets do not need to use elastic rings or tiewires to hold wires in place like conventional braces, making it a more comfortable experience throughout treatment. This light feeling allows the teeth to slide freely along the wires. This means teeth tend to move more quickly and dramatically reduces treatment time. This light friction system also reduces the need for extractions of teeth, expanders, headgear and other appliances. Dr. bardawil is typically able to finish an individuals treatment 6 months faster in the Damon system as compared with traditional braces.

The picture below shows the comparison of traditional braces (left side) and the Damon system (right side).

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Dr.bardawil than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.
DR.GEORGE BARDAWILhttp://www.drgeorgebardawil.com/
BEIRUT-HAMRA-LEBANON
961-3-542724

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best with Orthodontics!Can Braces Work for Adults?
People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment at our office. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it’s never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders. Thanks to Invisalign, there are now discreet, adult-friendly options for orthodontic treatment.How Do I Get Started?
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.What Are the Benefits?
Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made braces and aligners more effective, comfortable and unobtrusive than ever.
If you think you might benefit from orthodontic treatment, give us a call, so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.